“Ugh, are you getting on me about the fighting again? After I let you be top dog to start with? You and Salno should form a partnership.”
Nex kissed her. “I’d rather keep things one-on-one with you.”
He kissed her again and kept at it until Anneliese conceded. Maybe there were advantages to losing an argument—once in a while. Like every five years. Max.
Chapter Twelve
Nex smiled happily at Anneliese, though there was a hint of resignation in his tone. “I could stay here forever, learning about you in any number of ways. Unfortunately, I have to do some work. You can stay here and relax. Or come with me to the temple labs and be bored out of your senses.”
There was no way she could be bored when there was so much to investigate on this alien world. She might not have long to do so, she realized. It gave her a pang of regret as she looked at Nex. More than the experience of visiting a strange planet, she wanted to spend all the time she could with him. The damned tail-growing, sex-refusing man was too compelling to stay away from, even if he was dissecting the Risnarish version of frogs.
She tugged on the forelock of his mane. “Don’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily, big guy.” Another consideration occurred to her. “Are you going to be working with Salno?”
“Yes. And other scientists.”
“All of whom are women, if I’m not mistaken. I’m definitely sticking close. I don’t care what you say about how your two genders have so little in common. You’re too yummy for them to not be checking you out.”
Nex laughed and hugged her tight. “If that was true, they’d be out of luck. Alien women are far more exciting to me.”
“All alien women?”
“Actually, just you.”
He strove to prove his point by rolling Anneliese onto the fragrant grass, covering her with his body, and kissing her until she was wet once more. Damn if he didn’t hold her down while his tail did evil things, forcing her to climax again.
At last Nex set Anneliese on her feet and helped her dress. She threatened him as they set off for the temple. “Just you wait. Someday I’m going to get the chance to tie you down. Then we’ll find out who makes who scream the loudest.”
She laughed along with him. The warm feelings that his presence filled her with softened her urge to compete. Her infatuation was entering a new phase, one that made her feel sappy and sentimental.
She was still going to get the jump on him one of these days and show him how it felt to be on the bottom. Vengeance would be sweet indeed.
Once in the temple compound grounds, Nex led Anneliese to a dome next to the medical facility. She had felt a touch of apprehension at the idea of being in a laboratory setting, but the Risnarish version was nothing terrible compared to the Monsuda’s.
In fact, it didn’t resemble any laboratory Anneliese had ever observed or imagined. The area in the center of the dome was like that in the medical building: similar to a fine hotel lobby of marbled yellow walls and floor with the clear dome overhead displaying the blue sky to gorgeous advantage. A grand fountain with carved, gleaming sculptures of fantastical alien beasts provided a soothing chuckle of water. The melodic but wordless hum of many voices wove within the splashing, filling the air with a peacefulness that soothed even Anneliese’s demanding will. The sharp scent of antiseptic cleanliness couldn’t mar the overall sense of wellbeing. Maybe the temple decor was why the women never wandered far from serenity. The tranquil calm invaded her thoroughly within seconds of stepping inside the complex.
Glass windows curved around the atrium, showing mostly Risnarish females gliding about or bending over what Anneliese took to be various projects. Among the hundred or so women, she spied perhaps a dozen men. Science was a woman’s world on Risnar. It was exciting to see chicks in charge.
Nex led her around the fountain, heading toward an opening in the glass wall. There were no test tubes or beakers boiling over Bunsen burners. Only computer podiums where the scientists stood, bringing up myriad floating holograms filled with diagrams and strange writing Anneliese couldn’t begin to guess at.
She and Nex joined Salno, who stood at such a podium. Anneliese looked at the readout and recognized a picture of silver metal with etchings. It was a portion of the collar framework that surrounded the portal entrance.
Salno turned to them and dipped her head. Her expression barely registered bland interest at their presence. “From my spirit to yours, Anneliese and Nex. Was the battle training up to Earthling standards?”
Anneliese said, “I’ve got two words for you: big guns.”
Salno’s expression didn’t change. Her ears didn’t twitch, not a bit. She couldn’t have looked less impressed if she’d tried.
Anneliese sighed. “If I stick something pointy in you, will you at least give me the satisfaction of a yell?”
“Most assuredly. Does that comfort you?” Now her ears cupped forward, awaiting Anneliese’s reaction.
Could the Risnarish woman be joking? Was she capable of it? The grin on Nex’s face indicated that perhaps she was. Anneliese decided to match Salno’s tone and serene countenance. “Indeed, I do find comfort in your words. I shall sleep more soundly knowing you are capable of some emotional outburst, Salno. Don’t worry; no proof of it will be required.”
“That is of great delight to me. I dislike being stuck with pointy things.”
At the same moment, both women touched their palms to their chests. Anneliese burst out laughing. Salno, miracle of miracles, smiled a real teeth-showing smile.
Nex shook his head and went to a nearby computer podium that no one else was using. “Women from every world are confusing.”
Anneliese sniffed. “Which makes us interesting.”
“We are far more fascinating than the males, I find,” Salno agreed.
The other woman gazed at her with affection. An affection Anneliese returned. Salno was terrific.
Her new friend had seemed busy as they’d approached, but now all of her attention was for Anneliese. “Now that you are here, I wish to ask you more questions about your life.”
“Ask. I reserve the right to not answer questions I find too personal, however.”
“Agreed. Tell me about the first fight you were ever involved in.”
“Do you mean combat as a soldier?”
Salno shook her head, her ears flattening a little as Nex’s did when he disagreed with something. “The first time you felt you had to stand up for yourself. Tell me about that.”
Anneliese managed not to roll her eyes. “Because you believe I’m constantly looking for a fight?”
“Yes.”
Anneliese didn’t have to think hard to recall the first instant she’d taken a stand, but she decided an earlier altercation involving her mother would be more instructive. “I’d rather tell you about the moment I realized I’d have to be ready to stand up for myself.”
“That would be acceptable. Then I’d like you to tell me about your first experience doing so, please.”
Anneliese remembered the childhood event with her mother as if it had only happened. “I was about five when my mother told off a French-Canadian woman in a restaurant. She overheard the woman refer to us as les sauvages. It was an insult, calling us savages because we were of a different ethnic background.”
The tips of Salno’s ears flattened. “I don’t understand.”
“You’ve no doubt noticed Earthlings have different skin colors and different features, much like you Risnarish have different stripes.”
“And different manes in length and texture,” Salno added.
“On Earth, many people use those differences to feel superior to each other. If I had fairer skin, lighter hair and rounder eyes, I might be treated better.”
Salno’s ears flattened even more. “Why would you be judged by such superficial
things, things you cannot control?”
“Because Earthlings are all fundamentally assholes.” Anneliese shook her head and held up her hands. “No, that’s the anger coming out. I tend to have a lot of that when such issues come up.”
“I suppose that is understandable for a less spiritual culture.”
“You believe we’re not spiritual? Never mind; we’ll stick to this subject. The truth is, people on my world often operate out of fear. The fear of being helpless, for instance. Making ourselves seem superior to others is a way of erasing the fear.”
Salno considered the matter for several seconds. Her confusion did not lessen. “Why not just improve yourselves? Then all would benefit.”
“Yeah, but that means admitting we’re not as great as we pretend we are. It’s a basic human failing.”
Salno gazed at Nex, who had stopped working at his station to listen. “Did the Jeannie Earthling tell you of this?”
Nex’s eyes were filled with sad compassion. “No. Jeannie was more concerned with other matters. I got the idea that she suffered from emotional pain, however.”
Salno regarded Anneliese. “It sounds as if you all hurt on Earth.”
“You know, I agree. It makes some of us stronger, though, like it did my mother. She never failed to stand up for us.”
“And you emulated that?”
“I tried. My need to defend grew beyond myself and my immediate family, however. I was driven to shield others, those weaker than me. That’s where my first altercation came from.”
Salno leaned closer, fascination enlivening her usual calm. “Tell me.”
“First of all, it wasn’t an actual fight. No punches were thrown.”
“How grown were you? Were you still small?”
“I was about nine years old. I was a skinny little thing too. Maybe all of sixty pounds, soaking wet.”
“How did it happen?”
“I saw a classmate bullied by two boys. He was disabled. He didn’t speak well and he struggled in some of his classes.” Anneliese’s gaze lost its focus on Salno’s rapt face, seeing instead the old elementary school she’d gone to. “I was hurrying down the hall because I’d gotten in late. I came across these kids harassing my classmate. He was scared and crying, because they were picking on him so bad. It was wrong, and I was furious that those two would gang up on someone who couldn’t protect himself.”
“What did you do?”
“I yelled at them, telling them how pathetic they were. I got in their faces and shouted loud enough so that the nearby classrooms could hear me. I told them how low they were, how they’d never be anything but worthless.”
“Why yell? Why insult? What did this verbal offense get you or the boy they were teasing?”
“I wanted to shame them for being so awful. I was determined they’d be sorry for their actions, so sorry they’d never do any such thing again.”
“Did it work?”
Anneliese smirked. “They ran off looking as if I’d kicked them. I don’t think they ever messed with my classmate again. As a matter of fact, nobody did, at least not at that school.”
Salno permitted herself a slight smile. “The warrior protects the weak. This is the way our men are. You did a noble thing to stop the bad boys, Anneliese. How did it make you feel?”
“Like I’d done the best thing possible. I felt good about myself.” Pride warmed her.
“It made you strong? Powerful?”
She considered. “Yeah, I guess it did.”
“Superior, perhaps?”
Anneliese stared up at the alien eyes, noticing how they evaluated her. “Wait a minute. I wasn’t the bully. I wasn’t trying to make someone feel bad to lift myself up.”
“Hmm.” Salno looked into the distance, as if she could look through time and space to watch the situation for herself.
Anneliese had plenty more things to say to defend her actions. However, the memory of that day came back strong, making her remember exactly how she had felt telling the bullies off. Comprehension choked her denials off.
She’d wanted those boys humiliated for what they’d done. It had been a just punishment for hateful actions. Not to tear the bullies down, not to make them less...right?
Salno gripped her shoulders and squeezed. Her smile was understanding, as if she’d witnessed everything in Anneliese’s head. “I do believe you stood up for that boy for the correct purpose. But you got a lot out of it, an uplifting of your soul that felt wonderful.”
Anneliese wanted to refute her. The words wouldn’t come. She was left staring up at Salno, her proud memory stuttering and falling away.
“You learned to fight early on, straight from your mother. Your place in your world made it advantageous to continue fighting. When you won, it felt amazing. Amazing enough to continue to find reasons to battle?”
“Why don’t you just come out and say I’m shallow?” Anneliese felt her combative spirit rising. She pushed it down, determined not to prove Salno correct.
The woman shook her head. “No, that is not a failing of yours. You are a complicated woman. As such, you have had many reasons to develop an inclination to debate and dispute. So many reasons that maybe it’s become a habit? One that makes you look for reasons to argue?”
Anneliese took a deep breath, grabbing a moment to keep her from telling Salno to take her amateur psychology and shove it in inappropriate places. Besides, Salno might have a point. Her observations made more sense than Anneliese was comfortable with.
I’m a big girl. I can take it. “Any other remarkable insights you want to share?”
Salno let go. Her placid expression, hinting at nothing, returned. “Perhaps a teaching that I once received when I went through a phase of correcting others far too often. My guardian reminded me that a good cause is not so good if it’s the only thing making you think you’re worthwhile.”
Anneliese blinked at her. “You mean you weren’t always so perfect?”
“For a short time.”
Anneliese had to laugh. Salno making jokes was an event that deserved the utmost appreciation. She respected the scientist for admitting past blunders.
The pointed tip of Salno’s ear dipped, the equivalent of a wink. “Your merit is in your heart, Anneliese. You don’t have to argue to prove your value. Not to me. Not to Nex either, as far as I can tell.”
“She’s an absolute treasure. I won’t debate that for a second.” Nex grinned at Anneliese. She blew him a kiss.
Yep. She was a sap for the cutie pie, all right.
The two scientists got to work, the subject closed. Anneliese stood quietly between them, ostensibly observing.
However, her mind remained rooted in her conversation with Salno. She scrutinized what she’d done with her life, especially becoming a soldier. She’d believed it had been a natural outgrowth of her wish to defend the weak. But had it been? Or was she searching to give her life value, to selfishly feel proud of herself? And was the need to argue truly nothing more than a habit now?
Anneliese scowled at the Risnarish female studying the portal information she’d gathered. “Weh. You are such an irritating person, woman.”
Salno smiled and kept working.
* * *
During the course of the day, Anneliese was pleased to find that none of the scientists minded her asking questions about their work. Even the quietest Risnarish females showed some animation as they discussed what they’d learned about the Monsuda during their occupation of the hive.
As fascinated as Anneliese was with their work, she was equally chilled by what the Risnarish had discovered about their enemy’s doings when it came to Earthlings. “A program to control personality traits?” she echoed.
The head biology researcher, a white and gray woman named Iruma, regarded her with concern. “It would seem so. Several of the
notes I’ve decoded discuss the Monsuda’s attempts to strengthen docility in several Earthlings they’ve experimented on. A smaller grouping is devoted to enhancing more hostile, unbalanced temperaments, coupled with strong leadership characteristics.”
Anneliese thought of the power-hungry government heads of her planet and the wars they were bent on inciting. “I’d say they’ve made inroads with that second group, if they’ve gotten hold of certain people. Or maybe humanity is just filled with jerks in high places.”
It was almost a relief when Nex finished his work for the day. As they walked to his dome, Anneliese told him, “There is wisdom behind the saying ‘Ignorance is bliss.’ Too much education can be depressing.”
He hugged her close. “I’m hopeful we can rid the Monsudan influence from your world.”
“Both our worlds. Those bugs and their drones are a cancer. It’s time we cured it.”
Perhaps Nex felt the strain of their shared burden as well. He was quiet as he put together a simple meal for the two of them, which they ate side by side in the comfort of his visiting room. Anneliese gazed at him, concerned. However, his slight smile spoke of contentment, not worry. When he glanced at her, he looked happy.
He wouldn’t understand the old joke, but she couldn’t resist asking in a drippy tone, “Watcha thinking about?”
He placed his empty tray on the table and relaxed on the long, low-backed couch they sat on. His gaze lingered on her face. “I was basking in how nice it is to have someone to sit and be with. Everyone tells me what a chatterer I am, but around you, I don’t feel I have to talk. It’s enough just to look at you. To have you near.”
Anneliese put her own tray down and took his hand. “Thank you. That’s a nice thing for you to say.”
“I almost wish we couldn’t get the hive again. I don’t want you to leave.” The pleasure fled from his expression, to be replaced with sadness.
Anneliese felt his sudden burst of melancholy as if it were her own. The lump in her throat wouldn’t leave no matter how hard she tried to gulp it down. Her eyes stung with an unexpected upsurge of tears.
Worlds Apart (Warriors of Risnar) Page 15